ᴍʏ ʙᴜꜱ ʙᴜᴅᴅʏ. [ᴍɪᴄʜᴀᴇʟ ᴊᴀᴄᴋꜱᴏɴ ꜰꜰ]

Ch.7-Sleepover.

Ophelia and Ariel sat in Ophelia's apartment. It was Saturday, meaning no school, and a day off from work. Ophelia and Darryl would be leaving together on the 27th, a day before Thanksgiving.

They had five days until their departure to California. It was all the woman could think about, even as she watched movies with her best friend.

For the most part, she was excited. Her family would love Darryl just as much as she does. -I almost forgot! I need to ask Darryl if he's allergic to anything,- she reminded herself in her thoughts. -I should just do it now before I forget again. I hope he's not asleep yet.-
She stood up and walked over to the phone. "What are you doing?" She glanced at her red-headed friend. The girl was being so quiet, Ophelia had forgotten she was here. "I'm calling my friend real quick."

"Is it that one guy you think is sooo sweet and charismatic?" Ariel asked suggestively. She didn't want to deny it. She did think those things. "Yeah." She gave her friend a simple answer. Ophelia dialed Darryl's number and held the phone up to her ear. "Hello?" He answered quickly.

"Hi, it's Phelia." She heard him giggle. "Of course it is. How could I not recognize your voice?" Ophelia shrugged to herself. "Did I wake you up?" She imagined him shaking his head on the other side of the phone. "No, you're fine. I was already up, running errands."

Her brow raised. "At 11:00 at night?" She caught Ariel standing right behind her, trying to listen in on their conversation. Ophelia thought about shooing her eavesdropping friend away, but it wasn't a serious or private talk. Nothing bad that her friend shouldn't hear. And so she let her listen, despite being a bit annoyed with her.

"I'm sorry, what did you say? I got distracted," she admitted. "Nothing real important. Why'd you call me, anyway? Just to talk?" He didn't sound mad or annoyed when she called. He seemed
happy. "Not exactly. I was calling to ask if you were allergic to anything?" From the corner of her eye, she could see Ariel make a face at her. A face that screamed that's what you called him for? That's weird!

"I am not allergic to anything. However, I am sensitive to sunlight." That was interesting. "Is that why you always wear layers and layers of jackets?"

"That's the main reason, yeah. I usually walk around with an umbrella, but it's been real windy lately. It's a bit embarrassing sometimes, too."

"Don't be embarrassed. It helps you, and that's what matters. So, do you wanna come over?" She changed the subject.

"Oh, sure. I'd love to!" She proceeded to ask him to stay. It made her nervous, but Ariel has been wanting to meet him, and it'd be a good time. "Would you want to
stay the night?"

"Think of it like a sleepover," she added. "My friend wants to meet you." It was quiet for a few seconds. "I'd love to meet her, too. I'll be over once I put some stuff away." She smiled. "Great. Goodbye." He said the same, and she set the phone down.

"Guess who's coming over?"

= = = =

Darryl arrived ten minutes later. Him and Ariel got along great. They had so much in common, and it made Ophelia happy to see. Maybe they'd end up being friends, too. They could be a trio.

Ariel brought board games, which were 10 times more fun with a party of three rather than two.

They baked goodies, as it was one of Ophelia's favorite things to do. She learned more things about Darryl. He has a lot of siblings, though they all live in other states. He considers his
youngest sister, one of his best friends.

"I could read all day!" He exclaimed, and the two girls agreed. Darryl preferred cartoon movies pertaining to Disney, whereas Ariel preferred scary and more adult movies. He didn't mind them unless they were supernatural. Apparently, movies with ghosts and demons creeped him out. Many people felt like that, so she couldn't blame him.

They settled on camping out in the living room, watching a mix of Disney and horror movies. Ariel had predictably fallen asleep, and the two were still awake. "Phelia?"

"Yes?" He leaned against her, and she leaned against him. "You asked me if I was allergic to anything. Thanks for that. For considering me."